Providing information pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communications device

ABSTRACT

When a device, such as a cellular phone, enters into a region, usage information pertaining to usage of devices in the region is provided to the device. For example, restrictions pertaining to usage of cellular phones while driving can be provided. Usage information also can be provided upon request or in accordance with various factors, such as subscriber preferences, elapsed time since the last time usage information was sent to the device, elapsed time since usage regulations have been enacted or updated, and/or the frequency of which the device is in the region. A region can include a geographic region, a political boundary, a country, a state, a municipality, a county, a parish, a township, a building (e.g., school, library, movie theatre, court house, local, state, or federal government building), a public place (e.g., restaurant, bus, train, taxi), a zip code, a telephone area code, or the like.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of municipalities and states have been enactinglegislation regarding the usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices, such as cellular phones. Many of these restrictions are relatedto restrictions on the usage of cellular phones for calls or textmessages while driving. However, other restrictions pertain to use of acellular phone in other locations, such as use of text messages or useof camera capabilities in a library or school, for example.

As subscribers roam to different regions of the country, thesesubscribers may be entering areas with potentially different regulationspertaining to the use of cellular phones. The subscribers may not befamiliar with these regulations, especially if they are visiting a newlocation or an infrequently visited location.

SUMMARY

Information pertaining to the use of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in a region are provided to a mobile wireless communicationsdevice. In example embodiments, the information is provided upon theoccurrence of an event, such as when the information is requested orwhen the mobile wireless communications device enters the region. Theinformation can be provided in accordance with subscriber preferences.For example, if a subscriber commutes between two states every work day,the subscriber may decide not to receive information pertaining to theusage of mobile wireless communications devices in the regions (e.g.,states in this case) unless restrictions pertaining to the usage havechanged. Usage information can be provided depending upon the amount oftime that has elapsed since the last time usage information was sent tothe mobile wireless communications device, the amount of time that haselapsed since usage regulations have been enacted or updated, ordepending upon the frequency (rate of recurrence) of which the mobilewireless communications device is in the region. A region can includeany appropriate region having restrictions/regulation pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device, such as for example, ageographic region, a political boundary, a country, a state, amunicipality, a county, a parish, a township, a building (e.g., school,library, movie theatre, court house, local, state, or federal governmentbuilding), a public place (e.g., restaurant, bus, train, taxi), a zipcode, a telephone area code, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting an example process for providinginformation to a mobile wireless communications device pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example mobile wireless communicationsdevice configured to receive information pertaining to usage of a mobilewireless communications device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system configured to provideinformation to a mobile wireless communications device pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary packet-based mobilecellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice can be received and provided.

FIG. 5 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network in whichinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice can be received and provided.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture within which information pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device can be received andprovided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting an example process for providinginformation to a mobile wireless communications device pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device. At step 12 it isdetermined if an event has occurred. The event can be any appropriateevent that can trigger the provision of usage information to a mobilewireless communications device. In example embodiments the event can bea request for usage information as depicted at step 14, the mobilewireless communications device entering into the region as depicted atstep 20, or a combination thereof. If the event is a request (step 14)for usage information in a region, the usage information for that regionis obtained at step 16, and the usage information if provided at step18. Additional information pertaining to compliance of usage of themobile wireless communications device in the region, optionally, alsocan be provided at step 18.

For example, a subscriber who lives in Philadelphia and has a tripscheduled to the Seattle area may want to retrieve cellular phone usagerestriction information pertaining to Seattle before departing on hertrip. Thus, the subscriber can receive the usage information (e.g.,driving restrictions, usage restrictions pertaining to a state, amunicipality, a county, a parish, a township, a building, e.g., school,library, movie theatre, court house, local, state, or federal governmentbuilding, public places, e.g., restaurant, bus, train, telephone areacode, zip code, or the like), and can be made aware of any ancillaryequipment that may facilitate compliance, such as, for example, ahands-free kit to allow use of a mobile wireless communications devicewhile driving. The subscriber could be provided, for example, links tosources that sell ancillary equipment. Optional information can includeany information pertaining to the usage information. For example,optional information can include any registration information that maybe applicable to use of a mobile wireless communications device in aparticular region, such as a school, court house, or the like. Optionalinformation can include a history of the enactment of usageregulations/restrictions in a particular region.

In various embodiments, this on demand retrieval of usage informationcan be obtained via the mobile wireless communications device, via aprocessor/server/computer, and/or via a web browser on the mobilewireless communications device or processor/server/computer. Thesubscriber can identify the region in any appropriate manner. Forexample, the subscriber can identify the region (e.g., desired location)via a current location, an airport code, a city name, a state name, amunicipality name, a county name, a building name (e.g., court house,restaurant), a zip code, a telephone area code, a school district, amunicipality, a transportation provider, or the like.

If the event is not a request (step 14) for usage information, theprocess proceeds to step 20. At step 20, it is determined if the mobilewireless communications device is entering a region. If not, the processproceeds back to step 12. If it is determined (step 20) that the mobilewireless communications device is entering a region, it is determined,at step 22, if usage information and, optionally, additional informationis to be provided to the mobile wireless communications device. Asdescribed previously, examples of optional information can includeregistration information, enactment history, and/or informationpertaining to any ancillary equipment that may facilitate compliancewith the use of mobile wireless communications devices in the region,such as, for example, a hands-free kit to allow use of a mobile wirelesscommunications device while driving. The subscriber could be provided,for example, links to sources that sell ancillary equipment. Thedetermination as to whether usage information/additional information isto be provided to the mobile wireless communications device can beaccomplished in accordance with various factors, as depicted in block24.

For example, the determination as to whether usageinformation/additional information is to be provided to the mobilewireless communications device can be accomplished in accordancesubscriber preferences. Thus, if the subscriber associated with themobile wireless communications device does not want usage information,no usage information will be provided. The subscriber could limit thetype of usage information desired, such as, usage information pertainingonly to use of mobile wireless communications devices while driving, useof mobile wireless communications devices within a particular region, orthe like. As another example, the subscriber may want usage informationonly when usage information has changed. When the subscriber changeslocation, the subscriber's location can be updated in the network (e.g.,VLR, HLR—described in more detail below). When the subscriber's locationis updated, a server in the next location could be given thesubscriber's new location and old location to determine if thesubscriber has crossed into a region with different cellular phone usageregulations. If the subscriber has moved into a region with differentcellular phone usage regulations, the subscriber could be sentinformation about these regulations.

As another example, the determination as to whether usageinformation/additional information is to be provided to the mobilewireless communications device can be accomplished in accordance theamount of time that has elapsed since usage information for the regionwas provided to the mobile wireless communications device. Thus, if asubscriber moves in and out of two regions during her commute to andfrom work (e.g., subscriber lives in Washington state and works inOregon), a threshold time period (e.g., two weeks) could be establishedsuch that usage information/additional information would be provided tothe mobile wireless communications device if it has been more than thethreshold amount of time since usage information/additional informationwas previously sent to the mobile wireless communications device.Otherwise, no usage information/additional information would beprovided.

As yet another example, the determination as to whether usageinformation/additional information is to be provided to the mobilewireless communications device can be accomplished in accordance theamount of time that has elapsed since regulations or the like pertainingto the use of mobile wireless communications devices in the region havebeen enacted and/or updated. Thus, if new regulations were enactedand/or if existing regulations were updated since the previous timeusage information was provided to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice, when the subscriber enters a region, usageinformation/additional information would be provided to the mobilewireless communications device. If no new regulations were enactedand/or if no existing regulations were updated since the previous timeusage information was provided to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice, when the subscriber enters a region, no usageinformation/additional information would be provided to the mobilewireless communications device In another example embodiment, if asubscriber's preferences so indicate, when new regulations are enactedand/or when existing regulations are updated, the new/updated usageinformation could be provided to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice regardless of the location of the mobile wireless communicationsdevice.

As a further example, the determination as to whether usageinformation/additional information is to be provided to the mobilewireless communications device can be accomplished in accordance withthe frequency (rate of recurrence) of which the mobile wirelesscommunications device is in the region. This could apply to the commuterscenario, in which the subscriber enters the region five times per week.Thus, a threshold frequency value could be established, such that usageinformation/additional information would be provided to the mobilewireless communications device if the frequency is less than thethreshold frequency. Otherwise, no usage information/additionalinformation would be provided. As a subscriber enters the region, theaverage frequency can be determined over a given time period (e.g., onemonth). If the average frequency is less than the threshold frequency,usage information/additional information would be provided. If theaverage frequency is great than or equal to the threshold frequency,usage information/additional information would not be provided. Thus, inthe above described example scenario, if the average frequencydetermined over the previous month is less than five times per week,usage information/additional information would be provided to the mobilewireless communications device. If the average frequency determined overthe previous month is greater than or equal to five times per week,usage information/additional information would not be provided to themobile wireless communications device.

It is to be understood, that the sequence of steps as depicted in FIG. 1is exemplary and is not intended to be limiting. For example, theperformance of step 14 and step 20 could be reversed such that adetermination of whether the mobile wireless communications device isentering a region could be accomplished before determining if a requestfor usage information was made. It also is to be understood that theprocess depicted in FIG. 1 can be construed to depict an embodiment inwhich only a determination as to whether the mobile wirelesscommunications device is entering a region is accomplished, and that nodetermination of receiving a request for usage information is made.Further, the list of factors in block 24 is exemplary and not intendedto be limiting.

Usage information/additional information can be provided in anyappropriate format. For example, usage information/additionalinformation can comprise an SMS message, a link to a web page(accessible by the mobile wireless communications device or a PC-likecomputer), a pre-recorded audio message, a video message, an emailmessage, a multimedia message, or the like.

In an example embodiment, the determination that the mobile wirelesscommunications device is entering a region is performed via anyappropriate location determination mechanism. For example, the locationof the mobile wireless communications device can be determined using anyknown mechanisms/methodology including the global positioning system(GPS), assisted global positioning systems (A-GPS), time delay ofarrival (TDOA), round trip timing delay, triangulation, via anidentifier of a cellular site servicing the mobile communicationsdevice, via a radio access network, via any appropriate networkidentifier, and/or any other method used to determine the location ofmobile wireless communications device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26 configured to receive information pertaining to usage of amobile wireless communications device. The mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 can comprise any appropriate portable device,examples of which include a portable computing device, such as a laptop,a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a portable phone (e.g., a cellphone or the like, a smart phone, a video phone), a portable emaildevice, a portable gaming device, a TV, a DVD player, portable mediaplayer, (e.g., a portable music player, such as an MP3 player, awalkmans, etc.), a portable navigation device (e.g., GPS compatibledevice, A-GPS compatible device, etc.), or a combination thereof. Themobile wireless communications device 26 can include devices that arenot typically thought of as portable, such as, for example, a publiccomputing device, a navigation device installed in-vehicle, a set topbox, or the like. The mobile wireless communications device 26 caninclude non-conventional computing devices, such as, for example, amotor vehicle control (e.g., steering wheel), etc., or the like.

The mobile wireless communications device 26 can include any appropriatedevice, mechanism, software, and/or hardware for receiving informationpertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communications device asdescribed herein. In an example configuration, the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 comprises a processing portion 28, a memoryportion 30, an input/output portion 32, and a user interface (UI)portion 34. It is emphasized that the block diagram depiction of mobilewireless communications device 26 is exemplary and not intended to implya specific implementation and/or configuration. For example, in anexample configuration, the mobile wireless communications device 26comprises a cellular phone and the processing portion 28 and/or thememory portion 30 are implemented, in part or in total, on a subscriberidentity module (SIM) of the mobile wireless communications device 26.In another example configuration, the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26 comprises a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include aSIM, and various portions of the processing portion 28 and/or the memoryportion 30 can be implemented on the SIM, on the laptop other than theSIM, or any combination thereof.

The processing portion 28, memory portion 30, and input/output portion32 are coupled together to allow communications therebetween. In variousembodiments, the input/output portion 32 comprises a receiver of themobile wireless communications device 26, a transmitter of the mobilewireless communications device 26, or a combination thereof. Theinput/output portion 32 is capable of receiving and/or providinginformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice as described above. In an example embodiment, the input/outputportion 32 is capable of receiving information to determine a locationof the mobile wireless communications device 26. In an exampleconfiguration, the input\output portion 32 comprises a GPS receiver. Invarious configurations, the input/output portion 32 can receive and/orprovide information via any appropriate means, such as, for example,optical means (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI,BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone,ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof.

In an example embodiment, if the mobile wireless communications device26 determines that the mobile wireless communications device 26 is toreceive usage information, the mobile wireless communications device 26,via the input/output portion 32, provides a request for the usageinformation to an appropriate network entity (or entities), such as aserver, database, or the like. The appropriate network entity receivesthe request, and responsive thereto provides the usage information tothe mobile wireless communications device 26. If the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 determines that the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 is not to receive usage information, the mobilewireless communications device 26 receives no usage information. If themobile wireless communications device 26 is to receive usage informationonly if usage information changes, when the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 enters a region, the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26, via the input/output portion 32, can provide,to the appropriate network entity, a request for the usage informationif usage information has changed. If usage information has changed, theappropriate network entity, responsive to receiving the request,provides the usage information to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26. If the usage information has not changed, the appropriatenetwork entity can provide no usage information or provide an indicationthat the usage information has not changed.

Usage information and usage information status can be provided to themobile wireless communication device via any appropriate mechanism(s).In an example scenario, the initial provisioning can be performed via aweb page interface from either the mobile wireless communications deviceor via another PC connection. The usage information that is sent to themobile wireless communications device can be tagged with versioninformation such as version number, last updated date and time, etc. Themobile wireless communications device can request from the server in thenetwork, the version information of the usage information on the server.If the usage information on the server is newer than the usageinformation on the mobile wireless communications device, the mobilewireless communications device can initiate a data session to retrievethe updated usage information from the server in the network.

The processing portion 28 is capable of performing functions pertainingto usage of a mobile wireless communications device as described above.For example, the processing portion 28 is capable of determining thetype of event that has occurred, such as whether the event was a requestfor usage information or the mobile wireless communications device 26entering a region, as described above. The processing portion 28 iscapable of determining a location of the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26. The processing portion 28 is capable of determining whetherusage information is to be provided, as described above. The processingportion 28 is capable of determining and analyzing the various factors,including but not limited to subscriber preferences, elapsed time sinceuser information was last provided, elapsed time since user informationwas enacted/updated, and/or the frequency of which the mobile wirelesscommunications device is in a region, to determine whether usageinformation is to be provided, as described above.

In a basic configuration, the mobile wireless communications device 26can include at least one memory portion 30. The memory portion 30 canstore any information utilized in conjunction with providing and/orreceiving usage/optional information pertaining to usage of a mobilewireless communications device as described above. For example, thememory portion 30 is capable of storing information pertaining to alocation of the mobile wireless communications device, informationpertaining to a definition of a region, information pertaining to use ofa mobile wireless communications device in a region, informationpertaining to subscriber preferences, information pertaining to elapsedtime since user information was last provided, information pertaining toelapsed time since user information was enacted/updated, and informationpertaining to frequency of which the mobile wireless communicationsdevice is in a region, as described above. Depending upon the exactconfiguration and type of processor, the memory portion 30 can bevolatile (such as some types of RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flashmemory, etc.), or a combination thereof. The mobile wirelesscommunications device 26 can include additional storage (e.g., removablestorage and/or non-removable storage) including, but not limited to,tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus(USB) compatible memory, or any other medium which can be used to storeinformation and which can be accessed by the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26.

The mobile wireless communications device 26 also can contain a UIportion 34 allowing a user to communicate with the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26. The UI portion 34 can provide the ability tocontrol the mobile wireless communications device 26, via, for example,buttons, soft keys, voice actuated controls, a touch screen, movement ofthe mobile wireless communications device 26, visual cues (e.g., movinga hand in front of a camera on the mobile wireless communications device26), or the like. The UI portion 34 can provide visual information(e.g., via a display), audio information (e.g., via speaker),mechanically (e.g., via a vibrating mechanism), or a combinationthereof. In various configurations, the UI portion 34 can comprise adisplay, a touch screen, a keyboard, an accelerometer, a motiondetector, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, a tilt sensor, or anycombination thereof. The UI portion 34 can comprise means for inputtingbiometric information, such as, for example, fingerprint information,retinal information, voice information, and/or facial characteristicinformation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system 36 for providinginformation to a mobile wireless communications device pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device. The system 36 depictedin FIG. 3 represents any appropriate network entity, such as aprocessor, a server, a gateway, or the like, and any combinationthereof. In an example configuration, the system 36 comprises acomponent or various components of a cellular broadcast system wirelessnetwork. It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 3 isexemplary and not intended to imply a specific implementation orconfiguration. Thus, the system 36 can be implemented in a singleprocessor or multiple processors (e.g., single server or multipleservers, single gateway or multiple gateways). The system 36 can bedistributed, centrally located, and/or integrated. Multiple componentsof the system 36 can communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or acombination thereof.

In an example configuration, the system 36 comprises a processingportion 38, a memory portion 40, and an input\output portion 42. Theprocessing portion 38, memory portion 40, and input\output portion 42are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 3) to allowcommunications therebetween. The input\output portion 42 is capable ofreceiving and/or providing information pertaining to usage of a mobilewireless communications device as described above. In an exampleembodiment, the input/output portion 42 is capable of receivinginformation to determine a location of the mobile wirelesscommunications device 26, and to provide location information to themobile wireless communications device 26. In an example configuration,the input\output portion 32 comprises a GPS receiver. In variousconfigurations, the input/output portion 42 can receive and/or provideinformation via any appropriate means, such as, for example, opticalmeans (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI,BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone,ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof.

The processing portion 38 is capable of performing functions pertainingto usage of a mobile wireless communications device as described above.For example, the processing portion 38 is capable of determining thetype of event that has occurred, such as whether the event was a requestfor usage information or the mobile wireless communications device 26entering a region, as described above. The processing portion 38 iscapable of determining a location of the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26 and processing location information for provision to themobile wireless communications device 26. The processing portion 38 iscapable of determining whether usage information is to be provided, asdescribed above. The processing portion 38 is capable of determining andanalyzing the various factors, including but not limited to subscriberpreferences, elapsed time since user information was last provided,elapsed time since user information was enacted/updated, and/or thefrequency of which the mobile wireless communications device is in aregion, to determine whether usage information is to be provided, asdescribed above.

In a basic configuration, the system 36 can include at least one memoryportion 40. The memory portion 40 can store any information utilized inconjunction with providing and/or receiving usage/optional informationpertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communications device asdescribed above. For example, the memory portion 40 s capable of storinginformation pertaining to a location of the mobile wirelesscommunications device, information pertaining to a definition of aregion, information pertaining to use of a mobile wirelesscommunications device in a region, information pertaining to subscriberpreferences, information pertaining to elapsed time since userinformation was last provided, information pertaining to elapsed timesince user information was enacted/updated, and information pertainingto frequency of which the mobile wireless communications device is in aregion, as described above. Depending upon the exact configuration andtype of system 36, the memory portion 40 can include computer readablestorage media that is volatile 44 (such as some types of RAM),non-volatile 46 (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combinationthereof. The system 36 can include additional storage, in the form ofcomputer readable storage media (e.g., removable storage 48 and/ornon-removable storage 50) including, but not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks(DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, universalserial bus (USB) compatible memory, or any other medium which can beused to store information and which can be accessed by the system 36.

The system 36 also can contain communications connection(s) 56 thatallow the system 36 to communicate with other devices, network entities,or the like. A communications connection(s) can comprise communicationmedia. Communication media typically embody computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data in amodulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and otherwireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein includesboth storage media and communication media. The system also can haveinput device(s) 54 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device,touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 52 such as a display,speakers, printer, etc. also can be included.

FIG. 4 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice can be received and provided. Note, the system 36 depicted inFIG. 3 can comprise any appropriate component of combination ofcomponents of the network depicted in FIG. 4. In the exemplarypacket-based mobile cellular network environment shown in FIG. 4, thereare a plurality of Base Station Subsystems (“BSS”) 400 (only one isshown), each of which comprises a Base Station Controller (“BSC”) 402serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (“BTS”) such as BTSs404, 406, and 408. BTSs 404, 406, 408, etc. are the access points whereusers of packet-based mobile devices become connected to the wirelessnetwork. In exemplary fashion, the packet traffic originating from userdevices is transported via an over-the-air interface to a BTS 408, andfrom the BTS 408 to the BSC 402. Base station subsystems, such as BSS400, are a part of internal frame relay network 410 that can includeService GPRS Support Nodes (“SGSN”) such as SGSN 412 and 414. Each SGSNis connected to an internal packet network 420 through which a SGSN 412,414, etc. can route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRSsupport nodes (GGSN) 422, 424, 426, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 414 andGGSNs 422, 424, and 426 are part of internal packet network 420. GatewayGPRS serving nodes 422, 424 and 426 mainly provide an interface toexternal Internet Protocol (“IP”) networks such as Public Land MobileNetwork (“PLMN”) 450, corporate intranets 440, or Fixed-End System(“FES”) or the public Internet 430. As illustrated, subscriber corporatenetwork 440 may be connected to GGSN 424 via firewall 432; and PLMN 450is connected to GGSN 424 via boarder gateway router 434. The RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 442 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 440.

Generally, there can be a several cell sizes in a GSM network, referredto as macro, micro, pico, femto and umbrella cells. The coverage area ofeach cell is different in different environments. Macro cells can beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells aretypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells are used mainly indoors.Femto cells have the same size as pico cells, but a smaller transportcapacity. Femto cells are used indoors, in residential, or smallbusiness environments. On the other hand, umbrella cells are used tocover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in coveragebetween those cells.

FIG. 5 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network in whichinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice can be received and provided. Note, the system 36 depicted inFIG. 3 can comprise any appropriate component of combination ofcomponents of the network depicted in FIG. 5. The architecture depictedin FIG. 5 is segmented into four groups: users 550, radio access network560, core network 570, and interconnect network 580. Users 550 comprisea plurality of end users. Note, device 512 is referred to as a mobilesubscriber in the description of network shown in FIG. 5. In an exampleembodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 512 comprises amobile device (e.g., mobile wireless communications device 26). Radioaccess network 560 comprises a plurality of base station subsystems suchas BSSs 562, which include BTSs 564 and BSCs 566. Core network 570comprises a host of various network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 5,core network 570 may comprise Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 571,Service Control Point (“SCP”) 572, gateway MSC 573, SGSN 576, HomeLocation Register (“HLR”) 574, Authentication Center (“AuC”) 575, DomainName Server (“DNS”) 577, and GGSN 578. Interconnect network 580 alsocomprises a host of various networks and other network elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, interconnect network 580 comprises PublicSwitched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 582, Fixed-End System (“FES”) orInternet 584, firewall 588, and Corporate Network 589.

A mobile switching center can be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 571, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 582 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 573, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 576, which then sends thedata traffic to GGSN 578 for further forwarding.

When MSC 571 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 566, it sendsa query to a database hosted by SCP 572. The SCP 572 processes therequest and issues a response to MSC 571 so that it may continue callprocessing as appropriate.

The HLR 574 is a centralized database for users to register to the GPRSnetwork. HLR 574 stores static information about the subscribers such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”), subscribedservices, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR 574 alsostores dynamic subscriber information such as the current location ofthe mobile subscriber. Associated with HLR 574 is AuC 575. AuC 575 is adatabase that contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers andincludes the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as a mobile device (e.g., mobile wireless communicationsdevice 26), used by an end user of the mobile cellular service. When amobile subscriber turns on his or her mobile device, the mobile devicegoes through an attach process by which the mobile device attaches to anSGSN of the GPRS network. In FIG. 5, when mobile subscriber 512initiates the attach process by turning on the network capabilities ofthe mobile device, an attach request is sent by mobile subscriber 512 toSGSN 576. The SGSN 576 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber512 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 512. Uponreceiving the identity of mobile subscriber 512 from the other SGSN,SGSN 576 requests more information from mobile subscriber 512. Thisinformation is used to authenticate mobile subscriber 512 to SGSN 576 byHLR 574. Once verified, SGSN 576 sends a location update to HLR 574indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, in this case SGSN 576.HLR 574 notifies the old SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 512 wasattached before, to cancel the location process for mobile subscriber512. HLR 574 then notifies SGSN 576 that the location update has beenperformed. At this time, SGSN 576 sends an Attach Accept message tomobile subscriber 512, which in turn sends an Attach Complete message toSGSN 576.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 512 then goesthrough the authentication process. In the authentication process, SGSN576 sends the authentication information to HLR 574, which sendsinformation back to SGSN 576 based on the user profile that was part ofthe user's initial setup. The SGSN 576 then sends a request forauthentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 512. The mobilesubscriber 512 uses an algorithm to send the user identification (ID)and password to SGSN 576. The SGSN 576 uses the same algorithm andcompares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 576 authenticates mobilesubscriber 512.

Next, the mobile subscriber 512 establishes a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 589, by going through a PacketData Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. Briefly, in the process,mobile subscriber 512 requests access to the Access Point Name (“APN”),for example, UPS.com, and SGSN 576 receives the activation request frommobile subscriber 512. SGSN 576 then initiates a Domain Name Service(“DNS”) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.com APN.The DNS query is sent to the DNS server within the core network 570,such as DNS 577, which is provisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodesin the core network 570. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 578 canaccess the requested corporate network 589. The SGSN 576 then sends toGGSN 578 a Create Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) Context Request messagethat contains necessary information. The GGSN 578 sends a Create PDPContext Response message to SGSN 576, which then sends an Activate PDPContext Accept message to mobile subscriber 512.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 512can then go through radio access network 560, core network 570, andinterconnect network 580, in a particular fixed-end system or Internet584 and firewall 588, to reach corporate network 589.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 600 within which information pertainingto usage of a mobile wireless communications device can be received andprovided. Note, the system 36 depicted in FIG. 3 can comprise anyappropriate component of combination of components of the networkdepicted in FIG. 6. As illustrated, architecture 600 of FIG. 6 includesa GSM core network 601, a GPRS network 630 and an IP multimedia network638. The GSM core network 601 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 602, atleast one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 604 and a Base StationController (BSC) 606. The MS 602 is physical equipment or MobileEquipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer that is usedby mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM) or aUniversal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The SIM or UICC includes anInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a uniqueidentifier of a subscriber. The BTS 604 is physical equipment, such as aradio tower, that enables a radio interface to communicate with the MS.Each BTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 606 manages radioresources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to several BTSs.The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generally referred to asa base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 603.

The GSM core network 601 also includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)608, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 610, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 612, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 614, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 618, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 616. The MSC 608 performs a switching function for the network.The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC610 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks, suchas an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 620. Thus, the GMSC 610 provides interworkingfunctionality with external networks.

The HLR 612 is a database that contains administrative informationregarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. TheHLR 612 also contains the current location of each MS. The VLR 614 is adatabase that contains selected administrative information from the HLR612. The VLR contains information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 612 and the VLR 614,together with the MSC 608, provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 616 provides the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 618 storessecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 609 allows one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS 602. A PushProxy Gateway (PPG) 611 is used to “push” (i.e., send without asynchronous request) content to the MS 602. The PPG 611 acts as a proxybetween wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of data to theMS 602. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 613 isprovided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcast messages.SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entitiessuch as short message service centers. The SMPP protocol is often usedto allow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such as newsorganizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. The MS 602 sends a location update including its currentlocation information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 604 and the BSC 606.The location information is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR isupdated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR. Thelocation update also is performed when the MS moves to a new locationarea. Typically, the location update is periodically performed to updatethe database as location updating events occur.

The GPRS network 630 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 632, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 634. The SGSN 632 is at the same hierarchicallevel as the MSC 608 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls theconnection between the GPRS network and the MS 602. The SGSN also keepstrack of individual MS's locations and security functions and accesscontrols.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 14 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

The GGSN 634 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 636. That is, the GGSNprovides interworking functionality with external networks, and sets upa logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to an external TCP-IP network636, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRSservices, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performingan attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)context, thus activating a packet communication session between the MS,the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one of three classes: class A, class B,and class C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRSservices and GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supportssimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

A GPRS network 630 can be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkis indicated by a parameter in system information messages transmittedwithin a cell. The system information messages dictates a MS where tolisten for paging messages and how to signal towards the network. Thenetwork operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRS network.In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuit switched domain(voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend the datacall or take both simultaneously, depending on the ability of the MS. Ina NOM2 network, a MS may not received pages from a circuit switcheddomain when engaged in a data call, since the MS is receiving data andis not listening to a paging channel In a NOM3 network, a MS can monitorpages for a circuit switched network while received data and vise versa.

The IP multimedia network 638 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 640 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin the IMS 640 are a call/session control function (CSCF), a mediagateway control function (MGCF) 646, a media gateway (MGW) 648, and amaster subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS) 650.The HSS 650 may be common to the GSM network 601, the GPRS network 630as well as the IP multimedia network 638.

The IP multimedia system 640 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)643, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 642, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 644. TheP-CSCF 642 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 640. TheP-CSCF 642 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP) messages receivedfrom the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of theMS. The P-CSCF 642 may also modify an outgoing request according to aset of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 643, forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 643 may contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 645 to determine which HSS 650 to usefor the particular subscriber, if multiple HSS's 650 are present. TheS-CSCF 644 performs the session control services for the MS 602. Thisincludes routing originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 644 also decideswhether an application server (AS) 652 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromthe HSS 650 (or other sources, such as an application server 652). TheAS 652 also communicates to a location server 656 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 602.

The HSS 650 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 650, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 650 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 646 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 640 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls the mediagateway (MGW) 648 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 648 alsocommunicates with other IP multimedia networks 654.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones register with thewireless network when the phones are in a predefined area (e.g., jobsite, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they register withthe network in their new location as being outside the predefined area.This registration, however, does not indicate the actual physicallocation of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

While example embodiments of providing usage information pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device to a wireless mobilecommunications device have been described in connection with variouscomputing devices/processor, the underlying concepts can be applied toany computing device, processor, or system capable of providing and/orreceiving usage information pertaining to usage of a mobile wirelesscommunications device. The various techniques described herein can beimplemented in connection with hardware or software or, whereappropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods andapparatuses for providing usage information pertaining to usage of amobile wireless communications device to a mobile wirelesscommunications device, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can takethe form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangiblestorage media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or anyother machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code isloaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machinebecomes an apparatus for providing and/or receiving usage informationpertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communications device. In thecase of program code execution on programmable computers, the computingdevice will generally include a processor, a storage medium readable bythe processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storageelements), at least one input device, and at least one output device.The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language, andcombined with hardware implementations.

The methods and apparatuses for providing and/or receiving usageinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice also can be practiced via communications embodied in the form ofprogram code that is transmitted over some transmission medium, such asover electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via anyother form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is receivedand loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, a gatearray, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or thelike, the machine becomes an apparatus for the utilization of on-demandspam reporting. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, theprogram code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatusthat operates to invoke the functionality of providing and/or receivingusage information pertaining to usage of a mobile wirelesscommunications device. Additionally, any storage techniques used inconnection with the utilization of providing and/or receiving usageinformation pertaining to usage of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice can invariably be a combination of hardware and software.

While providing usage information pertaining to usage of a mobilewireless communications device to a mobile wireless communicationsdevice has been described in connection with the various embodiments ofthe various figures, it is to be understood that other similarembodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made tothe described embodiment for performing the same function of providingusage information pertaining to usage of a mobile wirelesscommunications device to a mobile wireless communications device withoutdeviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognizethat providing usage information pertaining to usage of a mobilewireless communications device to a mobile wireless communicationsdevice as described in the present application may apply to anyenvironment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any numberof such devices connected via a communications network and interactingacross the network. Therefore, providing usage information pertaining tousage of a mobile wireless communications device to a mobile wirelesscommunications device should not be limited to any single embodiment,but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance withthe appended claims.

1. A method comprising: upon occurrence of an event, determining whetherusage information pertaining to usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in a region is to be provided to a mobile wirelesscommunications device; and when it is determined that the usageinformation is to be provided, providing the usage information to themobile wireless communications device based on: an amount of time thathas elapsed since information pertaining to usage of mobile wirelesscommunications devices in the region has been provided to the mobilewireless device; and an amount of time that has elapsed sinceinformation pertaining to usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in the region has been enacted or updated.
 2. The method inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the event comprises one of: a requestfor the usage information; or a determination that the mobile wirelesscommunications device is entering into the region.
 3. The method inaccordance with claim 2, further comprising: determining that the mobilewireless communications device is entering into the region via at leastone of: a global positioning system; an assisted global position system;or an identifier of a radio access network servicing the mobilecommunications device.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 3, whereinthe mobile wireless communications device comprises a global positioningsystem receiver.
 5. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein whenit is determined that the mobile wireless communications device isentering into the region, the method further comprising: determiningwhether usage of mobile wireless communications devices in the regiondiffers from usage of mobile wireless communications devices in anotherregion; and when it is determined that usage of mobile wirelesscommunications devices in the region does not differ from usage ofmobile wireless communications devices in the other region, performingone of: providing no usage information pertaining to usage of mobilewireless communications devices in the region to the mobile wirelesscommunications device; or providing an indication that the usageinformation has not changed; and when it is determined that usage ofmobile wireless communications devices in the region differs from usageof mobile wireless communications devices in the other region, providingthe usage information pertaining to usage of mobile wirelesscommunications devices in the region to the mobile wirelesscommunications device.
 6. The method in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe usage information further comprises information pertaining toequipment available to facilitate compliance with usage of mobilewireless communications devices in the region.
 7. The method inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising providing the usageinformation via at least one of: an audible message; a text message; avideo message; or a link to a message.
 8. The method in accordance withclaim 1, wherein it is determined whether the information is to beprovided to the mobile wireless communications device further based onat least one of: a preference of a subscriber associated with the mobiledevice; or a rate of recurrence in which the mobile wirelesscommunications device is in the region.
 9. A system comprising: aprocessing portion configured to: upon occurrence of an event, determinewhether usage information pertaining to usage of mobile wirelesscommunications devices in a region is to be provided to a mobilewireless communications device; and an input/output portion configuredto: when it is determined that the usage information is to be provided,provide the usage information to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice based on a rate of recurrence in which the mobile wirelesscommunications device is in the region.
 10. The system in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the event comprises one of: a request for theusage information; or a determination that the mobile wirelesscommunications device is entering into the region.
 11. The system inaccordance with claim 10, the processing portion further configured to:determine that the mobile wireless communications device is enteringinto the region via at least one of: a global positioning system; anassisted global position system; or an identifier of a radio accessnetwork servicing the mobile communications device.
 12. The system inaccordance with claim 11, wherein the mobile wireless communicationsdevice comprises a global positioning system receiver.
 13. The system inaccordance with claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the mobilewireless communications device is entering into the region: theprocessing portion further configured to: determine whether usage ofmobile wireless communications devices in the region differs from usageof mobile wireless communications devices in another region; and theinput/output portion further configured to: when it is determined thatusage of mobile wireless communications devices in the region does notdiffer from usage of mobile wireless communications devices in the otherregion, performing one of: providing no usage information pertaining tousage of mobile wireless communications devices in the region to themobile wireless communications device; or providing an indication thatthe usage information has not changed; and when it is determined thatusage of mobile wireless communications devices in the region differsfrom usage of mobile wireless communications devices in the otherregion, providing the usage information pertaining to usage of mobilewireless communications devices in the region to the mobile wirelesscommunications device.
 14. The system in accordance with claim 9,wherein it is determined whether the information is to be provided tothe mobile wireless communications device in accordance with at leastone of: a preference of a subscriber associated with the mobile device;an amount of time that has elapsed since information pertaining to usageof mobile wireless communications devices in the region has beenprovided to the mobile device; an amount of time that has elapses sinceinformation pertaining to usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in the region has been enacted or updated; or rate of recurrencein which the mobile wireless communications device is in the region. 15.A mobile wireless communications device comprising: a processing portionconfigured to: upon occurrence of an event, determine whether usageinformation pertaining to usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in a region is to be provided to the device; an input/portionconfigured to: when it is determined that the usage information is to beprovided: request the usage information; and receive the usageinformation, wherein the usage information is provided based on: anamount of time that has elapsed since information pertaining to usage ofmobile wireless communications devices in the region has been providedto the mobile wireless device; and an amount of time that has elapsedsince information pertaining to usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in the region has been enacted or updated.
 16. The device inaccordance with claim 15, wherein the event comprises one of: a requestfor the usage information; or a determination that the mobile wirelesscommunications device is entering into the region.
 17. The device inaccordance with claim 16, wherein the determination that the mobilewireless communications device is entering into the region isaccomplished via at least one of: a global positioning system; anassisted global position system; or an identifier of a radio accessnetwork servicing the mobile communications device.
 18. The device inaccordance with claim 17, wherein the device comprises a globalpositioning system receiver.
 19. The device in accordance with claim 16,wherein when it is determined that the device is entering into theregion: the processing portion further configured to: determine whetherusage of mobile wireless communications devices in the region differsfrom usage of mobile wireless communications devices in another region;and the input/output portion further configured to: when it isdetermined that usage of mobile wireless communications devices in theregion does not differ from usage of mobile wireless communicationsdevices in the other region, receive one of: no usage informationpertaining to usage of mobile wireless communications devices in theregion to the mobile wireless communications device; or receive anindication that the usage information has not changed; and when it isdetermined that usage of mobile wireless communications devices in theregion differs from usage of mobile wireless communications devices inthe other region, receive the usage information pertaining to usage ofmobile wireless communications devices in the region to the mobilewireless communications device.
 20. The device in accordance with claim15, wherein it is determined whether the information is to be providedto the device in accordance with at least one of: a preference of asubscriber associated with the mobile device; an amount of time that haselapsed since information pertaining to usage of mobile wirelesscommunications devices in the region has been provided to the mobiledevice; an amount of time that has elapses since information pertainingto usage of mobile wireless communications devices in the region hasbeen enacted or updated; or rate of recurrence in which the mobilewireless communications device is in the region.